. . . coming soon . . . a flurry of images of some new friends I’ve made lately . . . more to come!  But, in the meantime, here’s one for this patient mommy before I fall asleep at my desk sign off.  What a BEAUTIFUL little baby girl!

hc | annapolis photographer

. . . “Well, honey, this is a different kind of farm.  There aren’t any sheep or piggies at this farm.”

For the past several weeks, each Monday, we head off to Cook’s Cafe to pick up our “market basket.”  Earlier in the year, owner Craig Sewell sent out an email with information about how to participate in a local CSA that he was organizing, along with Davon Crest II Farm, in Trappe.  The idea of having locally grown, fresh produce in our fridge each week was VERY appealing, so we jumped right on it!  Our summer was filled with the most unbelievable tomatoes, corn, squash, fruit, herbs, you name it, and as a result I got a bit more creative than usual with my cooking, and felt great about the fact that all of these items on our dinner table traveled just under an hour to get to us!

In addition, we have also been able to purchase locally “grown” meats, poultry, milk & dairy, and numerous other items, through the program at A Cook’s Cafe.  If you’re interested in the next CSA (starting VERY soon), contact Craig asap, or at the very least stop by for breakfast or a sandwich.  There is nothing quite like an breakfast made from fresh eggs gathered the day before, or a wonderful salad with lettuces that have JUST been harvested!

Davon Crest II recently hosted an open house, so members of the CSA and others in the local restaurant community could tour the farm.  My Mom & I took the wee one and we all had a ball, even without the requisite farm animals.   Here are just a few images from our adventure!

hc | maryland photographer

who went whizzing by me as I stood on the top of my car on the side of Rt. 50 at daybreak to get this shot, thank you, for not stopping me I’m not sure that standing on your vehicle, or on a guardrail teetering on one foot with a large camera in your hands, on the side of a 4-lane highway is necessarily illegal, but probably something that you don’t really like for folks to do.

All in the line of duty for both us early that morning

hc | commercial photographer

Even though it’s still weeks away, I thought it would be a good idea to let you know to get this date on your calendars! The annual Naval Academy Primary School Fun Run is scheduled for Sunday, November 9th, BUT, this year things are going to be a little different. In addition to the Kid’s Fun Run, the 5K Run & 5K walk, this year a 10K has been added to the event! The flat and scenic loop around the Greenbury Point Nature Preserve will provide a beautiful backdrop for all of the participants. Strollers are welcome, but no roller blades or pets please. Complete details will be up on the NAPS website soon, but in the meantime, you can CLICK HERE to download the flyer. All finishers in the kids run (distance appropriate for all ages) will receive a ribbon, and a t-shirt will be given to the first 250 entries.

If you haven’t been to Greenbury Point it is just beautiful, and I can tell you from last year that it was a lovely way to start a Sunday morning. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I am a “walker” – after three surgeries on the same knee I am now allergic to running.

Have a great day everyone – lots of blog posting recent sessions coming soon!

hc | annapolis photographer

. . . if you’ve been reading my blog for any period of time, then you may remember Mac.  I photographed Mac’s family back in the spring, and had a great time with them playing in the park at Federal Hill.  Mac’s Mom, Aimee, posts frequently to his caringbridge site, and because I’m a subscriber, I get notification everytime she posts something new.  I knew that this weekend was Mac’s big 4th birthday party, so I had no doubt that she’d be posting a re-cap of the day!  Unfortunately, I was out of town so we couldn’t go, but sounds like it was a blast.

If you take a moment to read her entry, you will truly feel the love of their community, Aimee & Brian’s strength and frustration as they watch their sweet son battle a horrible disease, and the joy that they find in even the littlest things.  You will find yourself looking at the little snapshot of him, smiling with his birthday balloons and you will wish that you were there to sing happy birthday right along with the rest of them.  You will want to send an email hug to Mac, his brother Colin, and their parents, and you will probably squeeze your own child a little tighter.  I know you’ll want to do this, because that’s the way I feel every time I think of the Murrays.

So, all of that being said, it’s nearly time for the MAC’S TEAM BULL ROAST!  If you’re looking for a kid-friendly, family fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, then don’t miss it!  We’ll be there for sure, and I already know that I have several friends and clients who plan to be there!  Click here to buy tickets  The event takes place on Sunday, October 19th from 3:00 – 8:00 at Michael’s 8th avenue in Glen Burnie.  Great entertainment for the adults & kids, a silent auction, yummy food and a great opportunity to support a wonderful little fella and his fight against a dreadful disease.

Be there or be square, and if you have a moment today, sign Mac’s guestbook, and send him a little love

hc 

. . . to this beautiful Mommy!  I have tons of great shots and had a bit of trouble narrowing down which ones to post but decided on these.  I love her with her two little cubs, and the fact that baby boy bear is holding on to her dress…just to be sure of her.  Baby sis is full of spunk, as seen in both her demeanor, expression, and oh yeah, the fact that she is wearing converse all stars with no laces.  Pink ones no doubt.  And lastly, since it is Mom’s birthday, the picture of her sweet boy holding a flower for her was just too cute.  Hope she likes ‘em

XO & Happy birthday to this wonderful Mom – hope this is better than me calling you to sing happy birthday!

hc | child photographer

Well, actually you have to decide where you want to go first   You know I always love to talk about the cool things that my clients do for a living, and when I met Jeff Jacobsen, and found out he was in travel, well I had a kindred spirit for sure!  Without a doubt, planning trips around the globe (and more importantly taking said trips) was my favorite part of my former business, so spending time during our shoot trading some stories, favorite locations, etc. took me back down memory lane.

Jeff’s new venture, STSVacations  (born from his business of 24 years, STS) offers top notch travel to destinations around the world.  When he told me that their goal is to provide vacation packages that EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS, it was music to my ears, because to me, that’s what travel is all about.  Intimate boutique hotels, or luxury world-class resorts (ok, I’m partial to both of those things), they’ve got them all covered.  It’s really easy to get online these days and plan your own vacation, but for years I stressed to my clients that it’s just not the same as trusting someone who has BEEN THERE, has a relationship with the resort and their staff, to do it for you.

And for those of you spring breakers who might be reading…STS has planned cool spring break trips for over 400,000 college students.  Um, yeah, that’s a lot of happy twenty-somethings!  That number blew me away.

I always like to recommend businesses I know to others, and when it comes to travel, which is near and dear to my heart, I know Jeff will help you plan the perfect vacation!  And since we haven’t done much globe-trotting for the past couple of years, it’s fun to live vicariously through everyone else’s travel plans!

hc

. . . once you’ve been to Lil’ Lamb for your new diaper bag (and other fabulous goods that you simply cannot live without), head up to Crocodile Kids in Severna Park, and buy your bigger kids something cute to wear for their photo sessions   You can save up to 20% at their back to school sale, but it only lasts another week, so hurry up!  The sale is also good for online purchases so those of you out-of-towners reading, you can shop & save too!  They have lots of great brands – Lilly, Hartstrings, Vineyard Vines Kids (yes, they make really cute kids stuff too), Deux par Deux – and many more favorites!

While it is true that your little darlings will look adorable in their portraits regardless of what they are wearing, a fabulous outfit is the icing on the cake!

hc

. . . that’s right – my inbox is EMPTY! Ok, well it was 3 minutes ago when I took the picture The last time this happened was February 22 and I blogged about it then, so I just had to do the same. I have been a machine in my office tonight! First one to email me gets a $25 gap gift card. Oh, but wait, that’s going to fill up my inbox again. Maybe that’s not such a great idea. Oh well, I’m feeling a little naked with it looking so empty anyway. What a moment this is. I almost feel like it must be broken or something.

WOW – that was fast.  Susan C send me your mailing address

. . . Right after I posted that maternity pic, I got an email from Little Lamb Shop (I get their e-newsletter) and they are having a big diaper bag sale.  What timing, huh?  Consider this a public service announcement for those who don’t have one yet, or for those who are too embarrassed to carry the tattered and torn and stained one that you already have need a new one.  Oh, looks like I need to get in there. Or maybe you just want something new and fun for fall.

hc